Disposable syringe

ABSTRACT

A single unit douching device includes a flexible bag having an opening therein. A rigid nozzle is affixed to the bag at a location remote from the opening. A sealing means is also affixed to the bag adjacent the opening to seal the opening after douching materials are inserted through the opening into the bag.

United States Patent [151 Brooks 1 1 Apr. 9, 1974 I DISPOSABLE SYRINGE [76] Inventor: Phil Brooks, 6006 Seventh St.

Northwest, Washington, DC. 2001 1 [22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 172,475

[52] US. Cl. 128/232, 128/251 [51] Int. Cl A6lm l/00 [58] Field of Search 128/232, 231, 227, 224,

l28/D1G. 24, 239, 233, 251; 2.2/92

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,401,695 9/1968 Rosenberg et a1. 128/232 3,463,153 8/1969 Gandi 128/227 3,109,578 11/1963 Davis 128/D1G. 24 2,328,569 9/1943 McGaw 3,177,871 4/1965 Meyers 128/227 3,303,847 2/1967 Eaton [28/232 3,081,002 3/1963 Tauschinski et a1. 128/DlG. 24 3,641,999 2/1972 Greene 128/227 3,583,602 6/1971 Gruber 222/92 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 520,467 3/1955 Italy 128/232 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney, Agent. or Firm.loseph A. Finlayson. Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A single unit douching device includes a flexible bag having an opening therein. A rigid nozzle is affixed to the bag at a location remote from the opening. A sealing means is also affixed to the bag adjacent the opening to seal the opening after douching materials are inserted through the opening into the bag.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 91914 I $802,434

I F'OLDLINES FIG. 4

'INVENTOR. P L BROOKS DISPOSABLE SYRINGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention is directed to a syringe device that can be .easily and conveniently transported, and is disposable upon the use thereof. The syringe embodying the present invention is particularly useful as a douching device to provide feminine hygeine wherever needed,

or desired.

2. Description of the Prior'Art There are a number of disposable, douching devices presently on the market. The advantages of manufacturingsuch type devices are rather obvious. It is often cumbersome and somewhat embarrassing to transport a permanent type douching device'on trips and visits when the use of such a device is required away from home. Consequently, being able to purchase a disposable device at a reasonable price to transport to a location where the need should arise away from home would eliminate the aforementioned cumbersome and embarrassing situations. To this end, the disposable device, which can be easily folded and stored in a pocketbook, handbag, -or the like, provides a great service to the transient user.

Unfortunately, the disposable devices presently on the market have at least two serious drawbacks. First, in a multi-unit device (eg., a device where the nozzle and bag are disjoined), the device is difficult to assem-- ble, thereby offsetting the conveniences it may provide. To illustrate, a device presently on the market includes a separate nozzle and a bag. Prior to'using, water and other materials must 'be poured into the bag through an opening at the top of the bag. The nozzle must then be inserted into the opening and tightened securely. To accomplish this, grooves are provided around the opening which complement similar grooves provided around the nozzle. Often, in preparing to use the bag,

for example, in pouring water therein, the grooves become distorted, and a snug and secure fit between the nozzle and the bag is not attained. The efficiency of the bag during the use thereof is,'thus, impeded. Secondly, in a typical single'unit device (eg., a device where'the nozzle and bag are an integral single unit), it is necessary to employ a flexible nozzle.'This is-so because water must be poured in through the opening in the nozzle, thus the nozzle must be constructed in such a way so that it may be suitably positioned under or adjacent a water outlet. A flexible nozzle is generally inadequate to perform its necessary function when operating the douching device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a single unit douching device, that is, a devicewhich has a combined bag and nozzle joined integrallyinto one piece. The present device is inexpensive to make, easy to use, employs a rigid nozzle, and can be readily transported and disposed of. The invention is attained by employing a flexible bag made of inexpensive material, such as vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene, or other like plastic materials that are well known in the art, and are of the same general class of materials as the above mentioned materials. Illustrative of this class are the thermoplastic materials categorized as olefins, styrenes, tetrafluoraethylenes, and the poly structures of these materials. The nozzle is formed of hard plastic materials, such as acrylic, lucite, plexiglass, and the like. The nozzle is cast molded, blown, or otherwise fashioned to form the desired shape in its rigid state.

The key to the invention'resides in the provision of an opening which is located on the bag remote from the nozzle opening, where water and other additives can be placed in the bag without otherwise disturbing the nozzle. A friction sealable membrane is affixed on the bag, adjacent the opening, for sealably engaging the bag over the opening afterthe bag has been filled with the desired douching materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above invention will become apparent from the following detailed description which is accompanied by the following drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a douche bag and nozzle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the bag in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, illustrating the bag with the nozzle folded over;

FIG. 4 is another view similar to that of FIG. 1, illustrating the bag in a compacted folded position; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, partially in section, illustrating the device ready for use with the opening sealed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, the douching device-includes a flexible plastic bag 11 that is manufactured from a plastic material, such as a vinyl or polyethylene material, that is inexpensive, and can be easily disposed of. A preferred material is illustratively sold under the trade name Saran, manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company,'Midland, Mich. On a side of the bag 11 is an opening 12 which is of a suitable size topermit a conventional water outlet (not shown) to be inserted therein. Affixed to the bag 11, adjacent the top of the opening 12 is a small strip of flexible material 13, which may be of the same material as the bag. The strip 13 has an adhesive backing 14 on one side thereon. The strip 13 is adapted to cover the opening 12, and the adhesive 14 is located on the underside of the strip adjacent the opening. A thin removable membrane (not shown) is applied to the adhesive portion of the strip 13 to preclude the cementing of the strip to the bag 11 before desired.

Also affixed to the bag 11 at the top thereof, is a rigid nozzle 16. The nozzle 16, likewise, is made of organic materials, such as thermoplastics, with acrylic, lucite, or plexiglas being the preferred materials. The nozzle 16 is molded with the bag 11 as a single integral unit so that one end of the nozzle communicates with the interior of the bag. Conventional molding techniques may be employed to form the nozzlel6 and join the nozzle .and'the bag 11 into an integral unit. These techniques are considered well known in the art, and are not a part of the instant invention. A central axial opening 17 is formed through the nozzle 16 to provide an outlet from the top of the bag 11 to the end of the nozzle not integrally joined with the bag. A series of apertures 18-18 are formed transversely along the upper part of the nozzle 16, and communicate with the central opening 17 to provide lateral outlets from the bag 11 through the nozzle.

A handle 19 is also integrally molded to the bag 11. The handle 19 is situated on the upper side part of the bag 11 and serves as a facilitating handling means during the use of the bag.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the use of the bag 11 is hereafter described. With the strip 13 in an open position overlying the opening 12 of the bag 11, water 21 and other materials (not shown) are first inserted into the bag. This may be conveniently accomplished by placing the opening 12 under a water source (not shown) that is located in a bathroom, or other like facility. As desired, douche powder, antiseptics, and special medications may be added with the water 21 through the opening 12. The covering membrane is next removed from the strip 13, and the adhesive backing 14 of the strip is pressed into sealing engagement with the bag 11, over the opening 12. The periphery of the bag 11 around the opening 12 may also be provided with an adhesive sealant, such as the adhesive 14, to provide a more tenacious seal between the bag 11 and the strip 13. The bag 11 is then employed for douching purposes in the conventional manner. After douching, the bag 11 is punctured to remove the fluid, and is then discarded in a suitable waste container (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a manner for folding the bag 11 into a compact unit for transporting before the use thereof. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the nozzle 16 is first folded over such that it overlies approximately one-half of the length of the bag 11. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the sides of the bag 11 are folded from the ends to cover the nozzle 16. The bag 11 is then wrapped about the nozzle 16 to provide a neat compact that may be easily placed in a pocketbook, or handbag, without unduly occupying room that is desired for other items. In addition, the nozzle 16 is maintained hygienically clean.

It is to be understood that certain obvious modifications can be made to the above device without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the device can be initially compacted and prepackaged into units of more than one by a manufacturer prior to the shipment thereof. Further, the device can be of any desired shape, and it may possess other features that are considered commercially feasible.

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece unit douching device consisting essentially of:

a flexible bag made of a first material;

an opening provided within the bag;

a rigid nozzle made of a second material different from said first material, integrally affixed to the bag and communicating directly with the interior of the bag at a location remote from the opening, the nozzle having a first passage extending axially therethrough, and a second plurality of passages extending laterally therethrough, and communicating with the first passage;

a flexible strip material affixed to the bag and overlying the opening, the strip having an adhesive layer on the side adjacent the opening for sealing the opening of the bag; and a handle affixed to the side of the bag. 2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bag I is constructed of a plastic material from the group inmaterials. 

1. A one-piece unit douching device consisting essentially of: a flexible bag made of a first material; an opening provided within the bag; a rigid nozzle made of a second material different from said first material, integrally affixed to the bag and communicating directly with the interior of the bag at a location remote from the opening, the nozzle having a first passage extending axially therethrough, and a second plurality of passages extending laterally therethrough, and communicating with the first passage; a flexible strip material affixed to the bag and overlying the opening, the strip having an adhesive layer on the side adjacent the opening for sealing the opening of the bag; and a handle affixed to the side of the bag.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bag is constructed of a plastic material from the group including vinyl, olefin, and styrene materials.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bag is constructed of vinyl material.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the nozzle is constructed of a plastic material from the group consisting essentially of acrylic, lucite, and plexiglas materials. 